Local nonprofit Friends of Reston has brought new life to its Friends of Trees Tree Fund program, doubling down on its efforts to help preserve Reston’s lush tree canopy by encouraging the community to plant more trees.
The program has existed since at least 2012 but experienced a slowdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Kathleen Driscoll, president of Friends of Reston, which supports Reston Association through private fundraising and charitable, educational and scientific activities.
Under the revitalized program, each newly planted tree is called a Friend of Reston, she said.
A tree can be planted for any reason, but many choose to plant in memory of a lost loved one, as an appreciation gift or in recognition of a company. The Reston Garden Club, a longtime partner, has planted trees in honor of members and others, Driscoll said.
Donors, who don’t have to live in Reston, can choose from some 60 native varieties including holly, maples, oaks and dogwoods. The latter is a favorite and a suggestion from Driscoll, who is also a master gardener.
Donors have a say in where their tree goes, said Mike Reynolds, director of RA’s Department of Environmental Resources, the partnering agency on the tree fund project. Nonnative trees aren’t available.
Arborists with Environmental Resources use data to track where healthy tree replacement is needed and use this information in helping donors decide on planting locations in Reston.
“We don’t just get any tree and put it back into the ground; we put the right tree to the right spot in the ground,” Reynolds said. “We enhance a tree’s success by understanding the site conditions it’s going into.”
Donors can arrange to have a tree planting ceremony and a plaque installed, Driscoll said. They are encouraged to help care for their young trees, so specialized training is available, she added.
Trees cover almost 70% of Reston Deed land, the original planned community created in the 1960s by Robert E. Simon. However, the deed doesn’t include the narrow strip of land that runs along the Dulles Access Toll Road near Reston’s Metro stations, where there isn’t as much tree coverage, Reynolds said.
According to Reynolds, many city, towns, counties and other areas are hiring arborists and tree specialists because they see the benefits to having trees in urban areas. Trees cool areas with shade and water vapor and are natural filters for urban pollutants. They also hold soil and prevent erosion in high rain events, he said.
“Forest health is like our own health. You have to make sure you are caring for it, nurturing, repairing it when there is injury and doing things to keep it all healthy,” Reynolds said.
The Tree Fund program is an excellent way to do that, he added.
“Let’s not rest on our laurels but be vigilant about taking care of trees and forest canopies especially in urban areas.”
The Friends of Reston announced the Tree Fund’s return in early September. The price of trees includes fencing, planting and watering:
- Small Tree (1-3 feet): $150
- Medium Tree (3-6 feet): $250
- Large Tree (7+ feet): $350+ (depending on species)
